Downloading 7PRC?

Good said:

Hey friends, how "downloaded" can a 7PRC be? I put my soon to be 13yo girl in for elk this year and I think the 7PRC might be a good cartridge for her to grow into (but maybe not). She has a lightweight 243Win that she shoots well, but I'm wanting something a little more elky and I don't have anything between that 243 and a sporter 30-06.

She is tall/long for her age taking after her mom (mom is 6' and I'm 5'8")- not skinny or big- average build, and athletic.

I could download the '06 but I'd like to get her something of her own that she can grow into. Is 7PRC around 8-9lbs too much gun?

Thanks for your time.

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I just got a7PRC from Gunwerks. Took it to Tajikistan and shot Marco Polo, Ibex, and wolf.
I'm more of a bigger gun guy, but it worked great on all animals. Yes it has a muzzle brake, but I am amazed at the light recoil with 180 gr MLD M bullets. the recoil to me is I think less than .308 because of the brake apparently. I have shot it a lot practicing longer ranges, and it has helped tremendously on helping to solve my tendency to flinch.

I would say 7-08 or 308 with a good break or can. I would load the lighter monos for hunting. Just ensure you have a stock that fits. I ended up with an Sig cross with a break and can for my wife. She has a port, which affects her shooting. With the cross I can adjust the recoil pad to ensure that it doesn't recoil into her port.

Good said:

Hey friends, how "downloaded" can a 7PRC be? I put my soon to be 13yo girl in for elk this year and I think the 7PRC might be a good cartridge for her to grow into (but maybe not). She has a lightweight 243Win that she shoots well, but I'm wanting something a little more elky and I don't have anything between that 243 and a sporter 30-06.

She is tall/long for her age taking after her mom (mom is 6' and I'm 5'8")- not skinny or big- average build, and athletic.

I could download the '06 but I'd like to get her something of her own that she can grow into. Is 7PRC around 8-9lbs too much gun?

Thanks for your time.

Click to expand...

No experienced elk hunter here, but you might consider loading 130 gr Barnes TTSX in your 30-06. The 130 gr pill will give much reduced recoil, increased velocity, and does a good job of penetrating according to reports I've read. It's certainly capable for any deer, elk might be a bit of a stretch, but with shot choice and accurate shooting certainly good. The Barnes bullets should be used at a weight 30% below the weight of a standard cup and core bullet. So, the 130 gr TTSX is equivalent to a 186 gr cup and core. This is well into elk territory. Again the 30-06 will be very comfortable to shoot with a130 gr bullet. Hammer bullets might be similar to the Barnes, but I'm not certain of that.

Good said:

Hey friends, how "downloaded" can a 7PRC be? I put my soon to be 13yo girl in for elk this year and I think the 7PRC might be a good cartridge for her to grow into (but maybe not). She has a lightweight 243Win that she shoots well, but I'm wanting something a little more elky and I don't have anything between that 243 and a sporter 30-06.

She is tall/long for her age taking after her mom (mom is 6' and I'm 5'8")- not skinny or big- average build, and athletic.

I could download the '06 but I'd like to get her something of her own that she can grow into. Is 7PRC around 8-9lbs too much gun?

Thanks for your time.

Click to expand...

I have 2 of them and I shoot Hornady factory ammo in them either a 24" barrel with a brake on then not much recoil at all they are around 9 Lbs with scopes

I have 2 of them with 24" barrels and I use factory Hornady ammo with a muzzle break not much recoil at all , they are around 9 lbs with scopes on them good luck happy hunting

7mmPRC Hornady 162 ELDX ...My 7mm PRC shooting 175 ELDX s (Fierce carbon rival) with factory muzzle break ) kicks like my 280 Ackley with the 162s...so very little and later you could go up in the weight of the bullet like you said and have one of the best new long range calibers out there...I love mine and Im shooting groups at long range...500,600, and 700 yards I never thought possible...did I say I love the gun...Fierce make a twisted rival that would be a great gun for her...and hey you could never go wrong with a 280 Ackley Improved...Ive dumped many a elk with mine and the 162 ELDX is magic in that gun...59 grains 4831sc, large rifle primer and walla 2950 fps...elky out to 600 yards

old_heli_logger said:

Great advice right here!!!

This from Hodgdon...

HODGDON® H4895® REDUCED RIFLE LOADS
For Youth Hunting, Informal Target, and Plinking
__________________________________________________________________________
Hodgdon Powder Company has found that H4895 can be loaded to reduced levels. H4895
was chosen because it is the slowest burning propellant that ignites uniformly in reduced
charges. To create reduced loads, the 60% formula is recommended.
Find the H4895 load in the Reloading Data Center for your caliber and bullet.
Take the maximum H4895 charge listed and multiply by 60% (.6). The load may be adjusted up from there to achieve the desired velocity and accuracy.
This works only where H4895 is listed. DO NOT use in a cartridge where H4895 is not shown.
Example: 30-06 cartridge with 125 gr. Sierra SP bullet. Max load shown in the Reloading
Data Center with H4895 is 53.7 grains. 53.7 X .6 = 32.2 grains. The shooter begins
with this load, and may work up from there to obtain the desired velocity and
accuracy for his reduced load.
Call Hodgdon Powder Company if additional information is needed, 913-362-9455

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Hodgdon does not show H4895 loads for 7PRC, but they do show this load for appx 2,800 fps with a 150gr bullet, should be pretty soft shooting.

Bullet: 150 GR. NOS E-TIP

Diameter: 0.284"

Case: Hornady

Primer: Federal 215M, Large Rifle Magnum Match

Both of my daughters were more concerned about the bang than the kick. They hesitate to pull the trigger because of the bang. You need to find something where they don't hesitate.

I had some luck loading down for practice and stepping it up for hunting with a 308. They had no idea that the elk hunting rounds were running a heavier faster bullet.

If it is going to hurt without a brake then you are stuck with a brake. A 7prc may hurt without a brake depending on load and gun weight. Any gun my daughters could pack and shoulder in 7prc would hurt without a brake. Too much bang with a brake.

If I did it all over they would start with an 20" barrel in 6.5CM and a 5" light weight suppressor. A 6.5CM will take an elk easily under 200yds. I am certainly not saying a 6.5CM can't take an elk beyond 200yds with ideal shot placement.

In a hunting situation I am always packing something that will reach past 200yds and make much bigger holes. My goal is to make them effective inside of 200yds with the gun they carry. I specifically want them to be willing and able to shoot offhand quickly at anything under 75yds.

When the conditions are right, they have no problem getting on the ground and setting up behind my 14.5lb 338 Edge with a brake. We have time to insert ear plugs and get the ear muffs out of the pack. We can figure ballistics....eat a sandwich....glass some more.... and eventually shoot something.

For every long distance opportunity there are six 30 second opportunities in the areas we hunt. I spend the bulk of my time finding a critter that will stand still for 5mins while they get ready.

Good said:

Hey friends, how "downloaded" can a 7PRC be? I put my soon to be 13yo girl in for elk this year and I think the 7PRC might be a good cartridge for her to grow into (but maybe not). She has a lightweight 243Win that she shoots well, but I'm wanting something a little more elky and I don't have anything between that 243 and a sporter 30-06.

She is tall/long for her age taking after her mom (mom is 6' and I'm 5'8")- not skinny or big- average build, and athletic.

I could download the '06 but I'd like to get her something of her own that she can grow into. Is 7PRC around 8-9lbs too much gun?

Thanks for your time.

Click to expand...

My girl is a few years older (17), 5'8" and 110lbs. She shoots my 7PRC all the time. Gun is custom & weighs in at 6.3 lbs without the scope, 8.4 total. I have a brake on it and she'll throw 20 rounds of 175's @ 2930 fps through it and not blink an eye. If you're putting a brake on it or better yet a suppressor, I don't think you'll need to download it at all, especially shooting lighter bullets. Her gun is a lightweight .243 as well, no brake. She says (& I agree with her) that the difference in recoil between the two isn't huge. I would say though, that if you don't at least put a brake on it, that it will be too much gun for her to handle at her age.

To Update my earlier, Posts; We decided to skip, the 6.5 Creedmoor,..
My 14 y/o grandson, is now shooting, My 7.5 lb., .270 WSM Tikka, T-3, with NEAR, Full Power Loads, using, a PVA Jet Blast, 3 Port Brake !
He shot 17 Rounds off, at Plates / Targets from, Field Positions ( sitting w/Stix / Prone, over Pack ) using 140 gr. Classic Hunter Berg's, @ 3,100 FPS .
It looks like, he will be ready for,.. next Years, Elk Hunt !!
And my sons, New Proof barrelled, 8.5 pound, 7 PRC has also been, nicely "Tamed" with, the 3 Port, Jet Blast Brake ( Very Little, Muzzle "movement" or, recoil with, NO blast or, ugly "concussion" at, the shooter ! ). We now have, 4 of these awesome Brakes, in the Family !
My son is Launching, 180 gr. ELD-M's at, 2,985 FPS w/ StaBall HD, into sub 1/2 MOA group's from his, 24" Proof Barrelled Tikka.
Good Brakes,.. just, WORK !!!

Nothing wrong with the .243 for elk imo. Below video is good evidence. Right bullet and you are good to go. It sure what twist rate your .243 is that makes a difference too.

A 16-20 inch 223 with 77 TMKs suppressed, 20 inch 6.5 CM suppressed, or a 16-20 inch 308 Win suppressed.

Check to make sure 223 is legal where you plan to hunt.

ARlife4me said:

The wsm uses more powder, but the saum has very close velocities with it. Plus depending on the mag limitations you could seat the saum longer with the heavies since the case is shorter than the wsm.

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Run them to the same pressures then get back to us................

Good said:

Hey friends, how "downloaded" can a 7PRC be? I put my soon to be 13yo girl in for elk this year and I think the 7PRC might be a good cartridge for her to grow into (but maybe not). She has a lightweight 243Win that she shoots well, but I'm wanting something a little more elky and I don't have anything between that 243 and a sporter 30-06.

She is tall/long for her age taking after her mom (mom is 6' and I'm 5'8")- not skinny or big- average build, and athletic.

I could download the '06 but I'd like to get her something of her own that she can grow into. Is 7PRC around 8-9lbs too much gun?

Thanks for your time.

Click to expand...

When is her elk hunt? This coming fall I expect?

Personally, I'd work with the 243, or the 06.

At 8 lbs the 7 PRC is going to be fairly active for a youngster like this. I love the Big 7's but unless it was supressed no way would I put my grandkids that are of this age into one.

The one load that would do well and yet wouldn't be too terribly ugly for recoil would be a 120 TTSX at about 3100. That'll break down a elk toot sweet